Dec 23, 2010 | Bookreviews, Ecclesiology, General Theology
Dispensationalism-Michael Vlach from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. Dr. Michael J. Vlach has written a helpful, readable, concise, yet thorough book on the subject of Dispensationalism: Dispensationalism: Essential Belief and Common Myths. In it, as the subtitle suggests, he seeks to set forth the essential beliefs and dispel some of the most common myths associated with the Dispensational system of theology. Dr. Vlach currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Theology at The Master”™s Seminary in Sun Valley, CA, where I graduated with my Master of Divinity. Though I finished my studies there before his arrival, I have found his writings helpful. He wrote his Ph.D. dissertation on the subject of the church as a replacement of Israel (Supercessionism). The book (published in 2008) is briefly (73 pages) arranged into four chapters 1) History of Dispensationalism 2) Essential Beliefs of Dispensationalism 3) Myths about Dispensationalism 4) Questions and Answers about Dispensationalsim. The aim of Vlach”™s book is straight forward, “. . . my aim is to discuss what dispensationalism is and what it is not” (3) He seeks to “highlight the foundational beliefs of dispensationalism that are truly at the heart of the system [and discuss] misrepresentations and myths about dispensationalism that have muddied the waters of understanding (3). WHAT”™S MOST HELPFUL 1. It is concise. It is not a weighty treatment of every nuance that could be discussed about Dispensationalism. It keeps to the subject at hand and is accessible reading for any interested reader who wants a jet tour of the issues related to Dispensationalism. 2. It is irenic in the way he handles the subject, especially those... read more
Nov 8, 2010 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry
The Capranica has been silent for a number of weeks. That’s not necessarily new, though August and September were banner months for readership. As most will know, our family just moved from the desert of Southern California to tundra of the Kansas City, Missouri area. We now live in Lee’s Summit, a suburb of Kansas City, and I recently became the Pastor-Teacher of Summit Woods Baptist Church. Yesterday was my third week in the pulpit and I commence my fourth week in the office today. The transition was quick and relatively easy as far as moves go. The kids have adjusted well and we are all adjusting from the normal November 90″™s in Hemet to the normal 40 and 50 degree weather for Kansas City. We’re bracing for the fun stuff on its way. Our transition was, as most issues in life are, a learning experience for us. The lessons that come to mind are ones not necessarily attached to moving to a new ministry assignment – several are essential for the normality of life. Yet, moving your family across the country (or further) is no normal time. Though we are still in the beginning stages, here’s a few thoughts on what I have found helpful during the transition: 1. Spend encouraging time with good friends before leaving. We made it a point to sped some wonderful fellowship time with people who were close to us before we left (though we were unable to see everyone). We treasure every one of those conversations – every meal – every moment we had with such precious friends. We had rich times... read more
Sep 9, 2010 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry
Summit Woods Weekend Overview from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. While we are here in Lee’s Summit, any interaction with the blog will be limited at best. Feel free to keep up with what’s going on with us through my Twitter... read more
Sep 8, 2010 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry
Local Church Giving from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. Unfortunately, as soon as I bring up the topic of money, as a pastor, some will associate the subject with the Benny Hinn”™s and Robert Tilton”™s of the world. Forget these charlatans. Let”™s simply be honest about what the Bible does say about Christians and giving. The Bible Says Much About Money I won”™t take the time to mention all or even most of the passages, but Jesus and the Apostles often used one”™s positions and wealth as a firm illustration of where one”™s heart is (i.e., Matt 6:24; 1 Tim 6:6-10, 17-19; Luke 12:13-21). Our Spending Says Much About Us Any examination of my checkbook will expose a wealth of information about what is important to my family and me. In this country, there is a tremendous amount of financial freedom in contrast to the rest of the world. We spend money on what we want. And what we want reveals much about our heart”™s desires. Tithing or Free Will? Inevitably, when Christians discuss the subject of giving, the issue of tithing will come up. No small debate exists among modern American Christians about whether the Bible, particularly the New Testament calls us to give ten percent (a tithe) of all we bring in, or if giving levels are merely left open to the Christian”™s conscience. Before I speak about my position, let me review a few biblical points Tithing Was a Principle Before It Became a Law Before Moses commanded it, the patriarchs practiced it (Gen 14:17-20; Gen 28:20-22). In fact other religions before and during the patriarchal era... read more
Sep 7, 2010 | Education, Featured Articles, Marriage and Family, Pastoral Ministry
Educating Our Children from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. How should we think about educating our children, especially in light of the very strong convictions held by those in home schooling, private schools, and the public school system? Parents Are Responsible In God”™s plan, I think the Bible is clear on who is fundamentally responsible for teaching children: parents. Deuteronomy 6 indicates that parents are charged with teaching children God”™s ways throughout the normal flow of life. Ephesians 6:1-4 clearly lays responsibility upon parents to raise their children in God”™s wisdom and ways. Parents are responsible for their children. This seems fundamental, doesn”™t it? Thus, it is not ultimately the church”™s children”™s ministry that is responsible for teaching our children about God. It is not the student ministries of the church that is chiefly charged with a teenager”™s spiritual life. Neither schools (private or public) nor even the church, as an institution, are ultimately the overseers of who, what, when, where, why, and how our children are educated ““ parents are. That”™s who God charged to be responsible for a child”™s education. Options are Legitimate Parental responsibility does not demand parental involvement alone. Certainly the church”™s children”™s and student ministries can be an asset to our children”™s learning more about God. Pastors and teachers are charged with spiritual instruction within the church ““ children included. Thankfully, parents are not mandated to teach calculus to their children. But they are charged with being responsible for being involved in who will teach them. Responsibility to oversee a child”™s instruction does not demand that no one else be included in instructing a child.... read more
Sep 6, 2010 | Christian Living, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry
An Affirmation About Alcohol from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. An increasing drumbeat in contemporary American churches is one on the subject of alcohol consumption. Not alcohol abuse ““ but consumption. I believe the vast majority of evangelical Christians (if not all) would affirm that the Bible speaks not only derisively, but condemningly of the abuse of alcohol. The contemporary dividing line is over the use of alcohol. In this post I want to look at a few issues on this subject, describe my position as I understand the Scriptures, and conclude with an affirmation I join in making with the elders at Summit Woods Baptist Church. The Use of Alcohol Can Be a Divisive Issue: It Can Be Generationally Divisive The use of alcohol seems to have a very dark line of division between generations. A large portion of the rising, energetic, biblically loyal, evangelistically passionate, and serious minded, younger generation of Christians is far more open to the use (again, not the abuse) of alcohol. This is in stark contrast to other generations who have traditionally advocated a position of complete abstinence. In my interaction with both groups, this issue brings out high energy and intense emotions. I find that a younger generation is more ready to make use of what they see as a biblically gray area and eschew others who are offended by their beer drinking (or whatever beverage they choose). In turn, in receiving the tongue lashing from the teetotalers, these imbibers return the favor with equally biting comments about the legalistic behavior of their oppressors. I honestly believe each group has valid concerns and... read more
Sep 5, 2010 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
How Long Should a Sermon Be from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. How Long Should a Sermon Be? Here”™s a long post about long sermons. I’ve never known this not to be an issue. Some could care less how long the message is, others have firm convictions based on personal experience and contemporary studies as to how long any public address should be in order to be effectively assimilated. I want to address this issue from a number of fronts: Regular, consecutive exposition is the sort of preaching I believe is most helpful for the sanctification of God’s people. Those who know me know that I believe expository preaching is what is most helpful in the corporate sanctification of God’s people. I like to define expository preaching as sermons where the point and structure of the sermon reflect the point and structure of the biblical passage. My definition doesn’t demand long or short sermons. I think shorter sermons may be able to present the point of a passage as well, perhaps better than a longer one. However, longer sermons may prove more effective in not only presenting the point of the passage clearly, but also demonstrating how a preacher arrived at his conclusions. Nonetheless, I think, as a regular diet, moving through books of the Bible book-by-book, passage-by-passage, showing the author’s intention and clarifying the contemporary application of a text is overall most helpful in the spiritual growth of God’s people. What are the most helpful ingredients in this sort of preaching? In a typical exposition here are the elements I want to accomplish: “¢ Introduce the main idea of... read more
Sep 4, 2010 | Calvinism, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, The Gospel
Am I a Calvinist? from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. As you might imagine, I am often asked about this. Obviously, I have openly identifed myself with Calvinism in some regard, but when really pushed on this issue I don’t have any desire to publicly defend myself as a Calvinist. That’s not because I’m ashamed of what I believe or with whom it may associate me, nor am I trying to duck behind a facade and not answer tough questions. I really do have an aversion to many of these sorts of public theological labels. Admittedly, I am probably inconsistent in my aversion. I don’t mind being called a Baptist, even though I abhor some of the caricatures, but I am not dogmatic in defending myself as an ardent Dispensationalist, though I would hold a number of its tenets. Why I have an aversion to theological labels. 1. Labels tend to avoid biblical discussion. If I simply come out and publicly identify myself as a Calvinist or even a Dispensationalist, the conversation with many immediately ceases and we tend to go no further without any real biblical interaction over the issues. Or, association with a particular label often leads to a mere discussion of whose syllogism is most logical. Maybe that has its place, but not fundamentally. Why begin, not with “are you a . . . “ but with “how do you understand this biblical passage, or that doctrinal implication.” I have no interest in defending Calvinism per se. I have great interest in discussing biblical texts and how we come to certain conclusions about them. 2. Labels... read more
Sep 3, 2010 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry
Answering Hot Topics from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. Last Sunday, August 29, the elders of Summit Woods Baptist Church, publicly presented me as the candidate to become the church”™s next Senior Pastor. Kelly and I are very excited to bring our family out to Lee”™s Summit next week in view of being called to serve at Summit Woods. We have had a tremendously warm reception by a number of people from the church already (via Facebook, e-mail, and Twitter). Our fellowship with the elders has been abundantly sweet. In our continued to dialogue since we were presented to the church, the elders and I thought it might be helpful to put out some more answers to questions that people have raised. I”™m happy to do that. So, for the next few days, you”™ll see some posts here at the blog to answer further questions people have posed. I call them, “Answering Hot Topics.” I”™ll hit the following topics: Are You a Calvinist? How Long Should A Sermon Be? An Affirmation About Alcohol Thoughts on Educating Our Children Stewardship and Local Church Giving I am sure there are many more questions that I could address. If you have other topics, please feel free to e-mail them to me or leave a note in the comment section of this post. If I don”™t answer them before our arrival in Lee”™s Summit next week, be sure to ask them of me in the public Q&A time, or come introduce yourself to me personally and put me on the spot. We look forward to serving you next... read more
Aug 23, 2010 | Humor, Pauline Theology
Ah yes, proof that Rap is an art and that some (like me) are better to listen rather than give it a shot. However, Dr. Gagnon does more than I could in trying to catch the book of Romans in a... read more
Jul 26, 2010 | Adoption, Featured Articles, Marriage and Family, Personal
David Andrew is now a Capranica. Thanks to all the family and friends who shared in the adoption hearing and for all who have been praying for us through the... read more
Jul 1, 2010 | Culture, Science, The Gospel
I was privileged to meet Dr. Andy Davis this past April. Aside from his obvious brilliance, he has memorized vast portions of Scripture and is so amazingly and encouragingly insightful in his understanding of God’s Word. Here is Dr. Davis, an MIT grad, discussing the question, has science buried God? [You Tube Video] HT: Thabiti... read more
Jun 30, 2010 | Ecclesiology, Southern Baptist Issues, The Gospel
Here’s the video of the Baptist 21 panel held during the lunch break at this year’s SBC in Orlando. This panel was discussing the Great Commission Resurgence report that was to be debated and eventually adopted by the messengers of the convention that afternoon. Great stuff here: [Vimeo Video] HT: Justin Taylor B21 Panel at 2010 SBC Annual Meeting from Southeastern Seminary on... read more
Jun 30, 2010 | The Gospel
I’m looking forward to seeing this in its entirety! [YouTube Video] This is one of many reasons why I love and support... read more
Jun 27, 2010 | Featured Articles, Personal
I know it’s summer, and this is a bit belated, but Spring was busy; beautiful, but busy. Here’s the photographic artistry of Chad Martin and the musical blessing of Enfield and their new Hymns album – with a little Capranica Clan spring time joy. [YouTube... read more
Jun 26, 2010 | Personal
Here’s a glimpse of the fun we had celebrating Father’s Day with Kelly’s family in Burbank. Great... read more
May 24, 2010 | Biblical Studies, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Sunday Evening’s message from Matthew 5:1-3: Audio is HERE. thecapranica on livestream.com. Broadcast Live... read more
May 11, 2010 | Biblical Studies, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
The video/audio from Sunday’s sermon – Matthew 5-7 Audio is HERE. Watch live streaming video from thecapranica at... read more
